Edwin Cartlidge

3 days ago | optica-opn.org | Yijie Shen |Edwin Cartlidge |Jeff Hecht

Feature Articles Topological Light Waves: Skyrmions Can Fly Harnessing an emerging class of structured waves as counterparts of localized topological quasiparticles could revolutionize information technology. by Yijie Shen Squeezing on a Chip Bulk optics gives us light beyond the quantum limit, but integrated photonics promises an extended reach—from biological imaging to quantum computing.

3 days ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

Skip To Content Feature Bulk optics gives us light beyond the quantum limit, but integrated photonics promises an extended reach—from biological imaging to quantum computing. The squeezed light source in LIGO’s vacuum chamber. [W.

1 week ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

Scientists in Sweden have reportedly shown how to amplify laser light at telecom wavelengths over very high bandwidths by exploiting nonlinearities in single-mode spiral-shaped waveguides on a photonic chip (Nature, doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-08824-3). They say that their scheme could improve telecommunications and also be applied to medical imaging and material characterization.

3 weeks ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

The Starshot Initiative has the ambitious aim of sending spacecraft to Alpha Centauri—the nearest star beyond the solar system—in flights lasting just 20 years. They plan to achieve this feat by using very intense laser beams fired from Earth to propel exceptionally thin “lightsails.” Researchers in the Netherlands and the United States have now developed a possible blueprint for such sails (Nat. Commun., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57749-y).

1 month ago | optica-opn.org | Edwin Cartlidge

Scientists in Switzerland have demonstrated a high-bandwidth electro-optic modulator that relies on what are known as surface plasmon polaritons (Optica, doi: 10.1364/OPTICA.544016). They say that the device, which exhibits an efficient, almost flat response across a frequency range of nearly 1 THz, could, with suitable modifications, be used in 6G (sixth-generation) mobile networks as well as for sensing and medical imaging.